Scratch preventing baby mitts and method of making same

ABSTRACT

Scratch preventing baby mitt includes upper and lower panels formed of flexible material. The upper panel extends from a point on a baby&#39;s forearm to a point between a base of the metacarpal joints and the first phalangeal joints and across the back of the hand. The lower panel extends from a point on the forearm to the metacarpal joints and across the palm. The panels are joined at a finger side edge and at outer portions of the upper and lower panels at a thumb side edge. The panels form a sleeve that fits slidably over the hand exposing ends of the fingers and thumb. The lower panel has an internal cavity holds a resilient pad sized and shaped to extend beyond curled ends of the baby&#39;s fingers. An elastic cuff adjacent the inner end of the sleeve has an adjustable fastener for tightening the sleeve about the hand.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to protective training gear for infants and very young children, and more specifically to padded hand coverings or mitts designed to prevent the child from scratching himself or others while learning to explore and sense with their fingers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parents of infants have serious concerns regarding the fingers of their children. On one hand, the parents would like their children to quickly develop needed motor skills and to be able to use their fingers to explore the environment around them. On the other hand, babies have sharp, rapidly growing fingernails and have a tendency to scratch their faces and eyes as they explore. The infants may also scratch other children whom they play with. It has been observed that children tend to scratch themselves and others when they curl their fingers toward their palms and then pull back with their arms. This motion allows the infant to apply considerable force to the sharp edges of their fingernails. A number of inventions have been developed to address these problems.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,416,800, issued to Moller, is directed to an open-ended hand covering cuff for babies that allows handling of a rattle or the like but prevents the baby from reaching its face preventing thumb sucking or scratching. The cuff is formed of a rectangular piece of clear plastic covered by an open fabric having a draw ribbon adapted for drawing a fabric around the wrist portion of the baby's hand where it can be tied.

U.S. Pat. No. RE 20858, also issued to Moller is directed to a hand guard in the form of a cuff for an infant's wrist which surrounds the hand and prevents the infant from putting its hand or thumb in its mouth. The guard is formed of two arcuate celluloid members; a soft cover formed of yarn is provided with a central opening and mounted on the end of the arcuate members. The far end of the guard is opened allowing free and normal movement of the hand.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0143822, published for Perry is directed to a teething device which covers an infant's hand thereby preventing such infant from scratching himself or herself and from dropping and losing such teething device. The teething device is formed as a mitten that covers at least one hand and the wrist of the infant. The mitten is preferably made of a fabric that is fluid resistant. A securing means is provided that could be an elastic type, a hook-n-loop type, a snap type, a button type, or a combination thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,648, issued to Brown et al. is directed to a limb protective covering that does not ride up and down the limb. The closure member is attached to the outer wall of the sleeve of the elongated waterproof member a small distance below the opening. The closure member encircles the covered limb and attached to the outer wall at an outside panel member. The closure member has a first strap member that connects to the second strap member that has a hook-n-loop fabric so that it can be tightened around the covered limb and attached to itself.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,139,897, issued to Kessler is directed to a class of baby mittens that prevent babies from sucking their thumbs or fingers or prevents the child picking on or scratching its face, ears, eyes or nose. The hand part of the device is waterproof material with eyelets provided to allow air to enter and ventilate the mitten. The wrist section is of net or other lightweight flexible material. The wrist section is folded in and stitched back on itself to form a casing for a ribbon or tape. In use a mitten of the proper size is slipped over the baby's hand with the fingers entering the wide portion and the thumb entering the narrow portion after which the wrist section is drawn together with the tape that is tied to maintain the device on the baby's hand.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0288056, published for Goldwire is directed to a mitten teether/pacifier that also prevents infants from scratching their face with their fingernails. The mitten teether can easily be secured to the hand by using elastic, Velcro, ties, or a strap. The mitten teether comprises an opening for inserting the hand, an area for a palm of the hand, an area for fingers and a compartment for the thumb on either side of the central axis of the mitt wherein the mitt may be used on either the right or left hand. The mitt is made of two pieces of material with the teething component which may be removable, may be made from rubber, plastic, cushion or the like. The mitt may also be made disposable.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide protective mitts or covers for infants' hands that will prevent the infant from scratching himself or others. It is a further objective to provide such protection in a form that will allow the infant to touch and sense with his fingertips and thumb. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide protective mitts that are comfortable for the infant. It is yet a further objective to provide mitts that are easily cleaned and that do not attract dirt or contamination. Finally, it is an objective of the present invention to provide such mitts that are durable, inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art scratch preventing baby mitt inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above.

(1) Scratch preventing baby mitt providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. An upper panel is provided. The upper panel is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a point between a base of a baby's metacarpal joints and a baby's first phalangeal joints and across a width of a back of a baby's hand. A lower panel is provided. The lower panel is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a baby's metacarpal joints and across a width of a palm of the baby's hand. The upper panel is joined to the lower panel at a finger side edge and joined at an outer portion of the upper panel and an outer portion of the lower panel at a thumb side edge.

The upper and lower panels form a sleeve. The sleeve has an inner end and an outer end and is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the baby's hand leaving ends of the baby's fingers and a thumb exposed. The lower panel has a first internal cavity. The first cavity is sized and shaped to hold a first resilient pad. A first resilient pad is provided. The first pad is located within the first internal cavity and is sized and shaped to extend beyond curled ends of fingers of the baby's hand. An elastic cuff is provided. The cuff is located adjacent the inner end of the sleeve and has at least one adjustable fastener for tightening the sleeve about the hand of the baby.

(2) In a variant of the invention, a second internal cavity is provided. The second cavity is located adjacent the first cavity within the flexible material joining the upper panel to the lower panel at the thumb side edge. A second resilient pad is provided. The second pad is located within the second cavity and is sized and shaped to separate the thumb from a first finger of the baby's hand.

(3) In another variant, at least one adjustable fastener for tightening the sleeve about the hand of the baby are mating hook and loop fastener pads. Each of the pads attached adjacent first and second ends of the elastic cuff on inner and outer surfaces of the cuff, respectively.

(4) In still another variant, the elastic cuff is located within a third internal cavity. The third cavity is located adjacent the inner end of the sleeve and the at least one adjustable fastener for tightening the sleeve about the hand of the baby are located upon inner and outer surfaces of the sleeve.

(5) In yet another variant, the upper panel further includes an elastic member, the elastic member is sized and shaped to extend across at least a portion of the width of the back of the baby's hand.

(6) In a further variant, the flexible material is at least 90% bamboo fiber.

(7) In still a further variant, the resilient pads are formed of at least 90% bamboo fiber.

(8) In yet a further variant, scratch preventing baby mitts include an upper panel. The upper panel is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a point between a base of a baby's metacarpal joints and a baby's first phalangeal joints and across a width of a back of a baby's hand. A lower panel is provided. The lower panel is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a baby's metacarpal joints and across a width of a palm of the baby's hand. The upper panel is joined to the lower panel at a finger side edge and joined at an outer portion of the upper panel and an outer portion of the lower panel at a thumb side edge.

The upper and lower panels form a sleeve. The sleeve has an inner end and an outer end and is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the baby's hand leaving ends of the baby's fingers and a thumb exposed. An internal cavity is provided. The internal cavity extends across the width of the palm of the baby's hand and continues upwardly within the outer portion of the lower panel and the outer portion of the upper panel at the thumb side edge. The internal cavity is sized and shaped to hold a resilient pad. A resilient pad is provided. The pad is located within the internal cavity and is sized and shaped to extend beyond curled ends of fingers of the baby's hand and to separate a first finger from a thumb of the baby's hand. An elastic cuff is provided. The cuff is located adjacent the inner end of the sleeve and has at least one adjustable fastener for tightening the sleeve about the hand of the baby.

(9) In another variant of the invention, the at least one adjustable fasteners for tightening the sleeve about the hand of the baby are mating hook and loop fastener pads. Each of the pads is attached adjacent first and second ends of the elastic cuff on inner and outer surfaces of the cuff, respectively.

(10) In yet another variant, the elastic cuff is located within a second internal cavity. The second cavity is located adjacent the inner end of the sleeve and the at least one adjustable fastener for tightening the sleeve about the hand of the baby are located upon inner and outer surfaces of the sleeve.

(11) In still another variant, the upper panel further includes an elastic member. The elastic member is sized and shaped to extend across at least a portion of the width of the back of the baby's hand.

(12) In a further variant, the flexible material is at least 90% bamboo fiber.

(13) In still a further variant, the resilient pad is formed of at least 90% bamboo fiber.

(14) In yet a further variant of the invention, scratch preventing baby mitts include an upper panel. The upper panel is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a point between a base of a baby's metacarpal joints and a baby's first phalangeal joints and across a width of a back of a baby's hand. A lower panel is provided. The lower panel is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a baby's metacarpal joints and across a width of a palm of the baby's hand. The upper panel is joined to the lower panel at a finger side edge and removably joined at an outer portion of the upper panel to an outer portion of the lower panel at a thumb side edge. The upper and lower panels form an openable sleeve. The openable sleeve has an inner end and an outer end and is sized and shaped to fit closely over the baby's hand leaving ends of the baby's fingers and a thumb exposed. An internal cavity is provided. The internal cavity extends across the width of the palm of the baby's hand. A resilient pad is provided. The pad is located within the internal cavity and is sized and shaped to extend beyond curled ends of fingers of the baby's hand. An elastic cuff is provided. The cuff is located adjacent the inner end of the sleeve and has at least one adjustable fastener for tightening the sleeve about the hand of the baby.

(15) In another variant, the outer portion of the upper panel is removably attached to the outer portion of the lower panel with hook and loop fasteners. The fasteners extend onto the upper panel as necessary to secure attachment of the outer portions of the upper and lower panels.

(16) In yet another variant, the upper panel includes an elastic member. The elastic member is sized and shaped to extend across at least a portion of the width of the back of the baby's hand.

(17) In still another variant, a method of making scratch preventing baby mitts, includes the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing flexible material for fabrication of upper and         lower panels for the baby mitts     -   (b) providing a first two-dimensional pattern for cutting of the         flexible material     -   (c) cutting the flexible material according to dimensions of the         first pattern     -   (d) providing resilient material for use as pads for the baby         mitts     -   (e) providing a second two-dimensional pattern for the pads     -   (f) cutting and forming the resilient material into first and         second shaped pads according to dimensions of the second pattern     -   (g) providing elastic material for use in cuffs of the baby         mitts     -   (h) providing a third two-dimensional pattern for the elastic         material     -   (i) cutting the elastic material according to the third pattern     -   (j) providing hook and loop fastener material     -   (k) providing a fourth two-dimensional pattern for the fastener         material     -   (l) cutting the fastener material according to dimensions of the         fourth pattern to form fastener patches     -   (m) folding the flexible material along a center line to form         two layered upper and lower panels     -   (n) providing stitching around a perimeter of the upper and         lower panels, leaving an inner edge of the panels unstitched     -   (o) turning the panels inside out     -   (p) placing the first shaped pad between the layers of the lower         panel adjacent the center line and adjacent a finger side edge         of the lower panel     -   (q) placing the second shaped pad between the layers of the         lower panel adjacent the center line and adjacent a thumb side         edge of the lower panel     -   (r) providing stitching to restrain movement of the first shaped         pad     -   (s) inserting the elastic material between the layers of the         upper and lower panels adjacent the inner edge of the panels     -   (t) providing stitching to secure elastic material within the         cuffs and to secure open edges of the layers     -   (u) providing stitching to attach an outer portion of the upper         panel to an outer portion of the lower panel, thereby forming a         thumb support     -   (v) positioning the second shaped pad into the thumb support     -   (w) providing stitching to secure the hook and loop fastener         patches to inner portions of the upper and lower panels to         provide fasteners for the cuffs.

(18) In yet another variant, the method of making scratch preventing baby mitts further includes the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing elastic material for use in the upper panel of the         baby mitts     -   (b) providing a fifth two-dimensional pattern for the elastic         material     -   (c) cutting the elastic material according to the fifth pattern         to form an elastic patch     -   (d) stitching the elastic patch to the flexible material         adjacent the center line and adjacent a thumb side edge prior to         folding the flexible material along the centerline, thereby         securing the elastic patch inside of the upper panel.

(19) In a further variant, a method of making scratch preventing baby mitts, includes the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing flexible material for fabrication of upper and         lower panels for the baby mitts     -   (b) providing a first two-dimensional pattern for cutting of the         flexible material     -   (c) cutting the flexible material according to dimensions of the         first pattern     -   (d) providing resilient material for use as pads for the baby         mitts     -   (e) providing a second two-dimensional pattern for the pads     -   (f) cutting and forming the resilient material into a shaped pad         according to dimensions of the second pattern, the shaped pad         has a palm portion and a thumb portion     -   (g) providing elastic material for use in cuffs of the baby         mitts     -   (h) providing a third two-dimensional pattern for the elastic         material     -   (i) cutting the elastic material according to the third pattern     -   (j) providing hook and loop fastener material     -   (k) providing a fourth two-dimensional pattern for the fastener         material     -   (l) cutting the fastener material according to dimensions of the         fourth pattern to form fastener patches     -   (m) folding the flexible material along a center line to form         two layered upper and lower panels     -   (n) providing stitching around a perimeter of the upper and         lower panels, leaving an inner edge of the panels unstitched     -   (o) turning the panels inside out     -   (p) placing the shaped pad between the layers of the lower         panels adjacent the center line with the palm portion adjacent a         finger side edge of the lower panel and the thumb portion         adjacent a thumb side edge of the lower panel     -   (q) providing stitching to restrain movement of the palm portion         of the shaped pad     -   (r) inserting the elastic material between the layers of the         upper and lower panels adjacent the inner edge of the panels     -   (s) providing stitching to secure elastic material within the         cuffs and to secure open edges of the layers     -   (t) providing stitching to attach an outer portion of the upper         panel to an outer portion of the lower panel, thereby forming a         thumb support     -   (u) moving the thumb portion into the thumb support     -   (v) providing stitching to secure the hook and loop fastener         patches to inner portions of the upper and lower panels to         provide fasteners for the cuffs.

(20) In a final variant of the invention the method of making scratch preventing baby mitts further includes the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing elastic material for use in the upper panel of the         baby mitts     -   (b) providing a fifth two-dimensional pattern for the elastic         material     -   (c) cutting the elastic material according to the fifth pattern         to form an elastic patch     -   (d) stitching the elastic patch to the flexible material         adjacent the center line and adjacent a thumb side edge prior to         folding the flexible material along the centerline, thereby         securing the elastic patch inside of the upper panel.

An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating a two part pad system, shown with the baby's fingers extended;

FIG. 2 a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment, shown with the baby's fingers curled;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 embodiment, illustrating the fastening of the elastic cuff;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cut out flexible material used to form the scratch preventing baby mitts of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FIG. 4 embodiment illustrating the addition of padding and elastic materials;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the FIG. 4 embodiment after folding and illustrating the addition of hook and loop fastener material;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the FIG. 6 embodiment after attachment of the outer portions of the upper and lower panels;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention, illustrating a one part pad system, shown with the baby's fingers extended;

FIG. 9 a plan view of the FIG. 8 embodiment, shown with the baby's fingers curled;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 8 embodiment, illustrating the fastening of the elastic cuff;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention, illustrating an openable attachment for the outer portions of the upper and lower panels;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the FIG. 11 embodiment of the invention, illustrating a one part pad system, shown with the baby's fingers extended; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 11 embodiment, illustrating the fastening of the elastic cuff.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(1) FIGS. 1-13 illustrate a scratch preventing baby mitt 10 providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, an upper panel 14 is provided. The upper panel 14 is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm 18 to a first point between a base of a baby's metacarpal joints and a baby's first phalangeal joints 22 and across a width 26 of a back 30 of a baby's hand 34. A lower panel 38 is provided. The lower panel 38 is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a second point on a baby's forearm 42 to a baby's metacarpal joints 46 and across a width (not shown) of a palm 54 of the baby's hand 34. The upper panel 14 is joined to the lower panel 38 at a finger side edge 58 and joined at an outer portion 62 of the upper panel 14 and an outer portion 66 of the lower panel 38 at a thumb side edge 70.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper 14 and lower 38 panels form a sleeve 74. The sleeve 74 has an inner end 78 and an outer end 82 and is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the baby's hand 34 leaving ends 86 of the baby's fingers 90 and a thumb 94 exposed. The lower panel 38 has a first internal cavity 98. The first cavity 98 is sized and shaped to hold a first resilient pad 102. A first resilient pad 102 is provided. The first pad 102 is located within the first internal cavity 98 and is sized and shaped to extend beyond curled ends 106 of fingers 90 of the baby's hand 34. An elastic cuff 110 is provided. The cuff 110 is located adjacent the inner end 78 of the sleeve 74 and has at least one adjustable fastener 114 for tightening the sleeve 74 about the hand of the baby 34.

(2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a second internal cavity 118 is provided. The second cavity 118 is located adjacent the first cavity 98 within the flexible material joining the upper panel 14 to the lower panel 38 at the thumb side edge 70. A second resilient pad 122 is provided. The second pad 122 is located within the second cavity 118 and is sized and shaped to separate the thumb 94 from a first finger 126 of the baby's hand 34.

(3) In another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the at least one adjustable fastener 114 for tightening the sleeve 74 about the hand of the baby 34 are mating hook 130 and loop 134 fastener pads. Each of the pads 130, 134 are attached adjacent first 138 and second 142 ends of the elastic cuff 110 on inner 146 and outer 150 surfaces of the cuff 110, respectively.

(4) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the elastic cuff 110 is located within a third internal cavity 154. The third cavity 154 is located adjacent the inner end 78 of the sleeve 74 and the at least one adjustable fastener 114 for tightening the sleeve 74 about the hand of the baby 34 are located upon inner 158 and outer 162 surfaces of the sleeve 74.

(5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper panel 14 further includes an elastic member 166. The elastic member 166 is sized and shaped to extend across at least a portion 170 of the width 26 of the back 30 of the baby's hand 34.

(6) In a further variant, the flexible material is at least 90% bamboo fiber.

(7) In still a further variant, the first resilient pad 102 is formed of at least 90% bamboo fiber.

(8) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 8, scratch preventing baby mitts 10 include an upper panel 14. The upper panel 14 is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm 18 to a first point between a base of a baby's metacarpal joints and a baby's first phalangeal joints 22 and across a width 26 of a back 30 of a baby's hand 34. A lower panel 38 is provided. The lower panel 38 is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a second point on a baby's forearm 42 to a baby's metacarpal joints 46 and across a width (not shown) of a palm 54 of the baby's hand 34. The upper panel 14 is joined to the lower panel 38 at a finger side edge 58 and joined at an outer portion 62 of the upper panel 14 and an outer portion 66 of the lower panel 38 at a thumb side edge 70.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the upper 14 and lower 38 panels form a sleeve 74. The sleeve 74 has an inner end 78 and an outer end 82 and is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the baby's hand 34 leaving ends 86 of the baby's fingers 90 and a thumb 94 exposed. An internal cavity 174 is provided. The internal cavity 174 extends across the width of the palm 54 of the baby's hand 34 and continues upwardly within the outer portion 66 of the lower panel 38 and the outer portion 62 of the upper panel 14 at the thumb side edge 70. The internal cavity 174 is sized and shaped to hold a resilient pad 178. A resilient pad 178 is provided. The pad 178 is located within the internal cavity 174 and is sized and shaped to extend beyond curled ends 106 of fingers 90 of the baby's hand 34 and to separate a first finger 126 from a thumb 94 of the baby's hand 34. An elastic cuff 110 is provided. The cuff 110 is located adjacent the inner end 78 of the sleeve 74 and has at least one adjustable fastener 114 for tightening the sleeve 74 about the hand of the baby 34.

(9) In another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the at least one adjustable fastener 114 for tightening the sleeve 74 about the hand of the baby 34 are mating hook 130 and loop 134 fastener pads. Each of the pads 130, 134 are attached adjacent first 138 and second 142 ends of the elastic cuff 110 on inner 146 and outer 150 surfaces of the cuff 110, respectively.

(10) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the elastic cuff 110 is located within a second internal cavity 182. The second cavity 182 is located adjacent the inner end 78 of the sleeve 74 and the at least one adjustable fastener 114 for tightening the sleeve 74 about the hand of the baby 34 are located upon inner 158 and outer 162 surfaces of the sleeve 74.

(11) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the upper panel 14 further includes an elastic member 166, the elastic member 166 is sized and shaped to extend across at least a portion 170 of the width 26 of the back 30 of the baby's hand 34.

(12) In a further variant, the flexible material is at least 90% bamboo fiber.

(13) In still a further variant, the resilient pad 178 is formed of at least 90% bamboo fiber.

(14) In yet a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, scratch preventing baby mitts 186 include an upper panel 190. The upper panel 190 is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm 18 to a point between a base of a baby's metacarpal joints and a baby's first phalangeal joints 22 and across a width 26 of a back 30 of a baby's hand 34. A lower panel 194 is provided. The lower panel 194 is formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a second point on a baby's forearm 42 to a baby's metacarpal joints 46 and across a width (not shown) of a palm 54 of the baby's hand 34. The upper panel 190 is joined to the lower panel 194 at a finger side edge 58 and removably joined at an outer portion 62 of the upper panel 190 to an outer portion 66 of the lower panel 194 at a thumb side edge 70. The upper 190 and lower 194 panels form an openable sleeve 198. The openable sleeve 198 has an inner end 78 and an outer end 82 and is sized and shaped to fit closely over the baby's hand 34 leaving ends 86 of the baby's fingers 90 and a thumb 94 exposed. An internal cavity 174 is provided. The internal cavity 174 extends across the width of the palm 54 of the baby's hand 34. A resilient pad 178 is provided. The pad 178 is located within the internal cavity 174 and is sized and shaped to extend beyond curled ends 106 of fingers 90 of the baby's hand 34. An elastic cuff 110 is provided. The cuff 110 is located adjacent the inner end 78 of the sleeve 198 and has at least one adjustable fastener 114 for tightening the sleeve 198 about the hand of the baby 34.

(15) In another variant, the outer portion 62 of the upper panel 190 is removably attached to the outer portion 66 of the lower panel 194 with hook 132 and loop 136 fasteners. The fasteners 130, 134 extend onto the upper panel 190 as necessary to secure attachment of the outer portions 62, 66 of the upper 190 and lower 194 panels.

(16) In yet another variant, the upper panel 190 includes an elastic member 166. The elastic member 166 is sized and shaped to extend across at least a portion 170 of the width 26 of the back 30 of the baby's hand 34.

(17) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-13, a method of making scratch preventing baby mitts 10, includes the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing flexible material 202 for fabrication of upper 14         and lower 38 panels for the baby mitts 10     -   (b) providing a first two-dimensional pattern (not shown) for         cutting of the flexible material 202     -   (c) cutting the flexible material 202 according to dimensions of         the first pattern     -   (d) providing resilient material 210 for use as pads 102, 122         for the baby mitts 10     -   (e) providing a second two-dimensional pattern (not shown) for         the pads 102, 122     -   (f) cutting and forming the resilient material 210 into first         102 and second 122 shaped pads according to dimensions of the         second pattern     -   (g) providing elastic material 218 or use in cuffs 110 of the         baby mitts 10     -   (h) providing a third two-dimensional pattern (not shown) for         the elastic material 218     -   (i) cutting the elastic material 218 according to the third         pattern     -   (j) providing hook and loop fastener material 226     -   (k) providing a fourth two-dimensional pattern (not shown) for         the fastener material 226     -   (l) cutting the fastener material 226 according to dimensions of         the fourth pattern to form fastener patches 130, 134     -   (m) folding the flexible material 202 along a center line 234 to         form two layered upper 14 and lower 38 panels     -   (n) providing stitching 238 around a perimeter 242 of the upper         14 and lower 38 panels, leaving an inner edge 246 of the panels         14, 38 unstitched     -   (o) turning the panels 14, 38 inside out     -   (p) placing the first shaped pad 102 between the layers of the         lower panel 38 adjacent the center line 234 and adjacent a         finger side edge 58 of the lower panel 38     -   (q) placing the second shaped pad 122 between the layers of the         lower panel 38 adjacent the center line 234 and adjacent a thumb         side edge 70 of the lower panel 38     -   (r) providing stitching 250 to restrain movement of the first         shaped pad 102     -   (s) inserting the elastic material 218 between the layers of the         upper 14 and lower 38 panels adjacent the inner edge 246 of the         panels 14, 38     -   (t) providing stitching 258 to secure elastic material 218         within the cuffs 110 and to secure open edges 262 of the layers     -   (u) providing stitching 266 to attach an outer portion 62 of the         upper panel 14 to an outer 66 portion of the lower panel 38,         thereby forming a thumb support 270     -   (v) positioning the second shaped pad 122 into the thumb support         270     -   (w) providing stitching 274 to secure the hook 130 and loop 134         fastener patches to inner portions 278 of the upper 14 and lower         38 panels to provide fasteners 114 for the cuffs 110.

(18) In yet another variant, the method of making scratch preventing baby mitts 10 further includes the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing elastic material 218 for use in the upper panel 14         of the baby mitts 10     -   (b) providing a fifth two-dimensional pattern (not shown) for         the elastic material 218     -   (c) cutting the elastic material 218 according to the fifth         pattern to form an elastic member 166     -   (d) stitching the elastic member 166 to the flexible material         202 adjacent the center line 234 and adjacent a thumb side edge         70 prior to folding the flexible material 202 along the         centerline 234, thereby securing the elastic member 166 inside         of the upper panel 14.

(19) In a further variant, a method of making scratch preventing baby mitts, includes the steps of

-   -   (a) providing flexible material 202 for fabrication of upper 14         and lower 38 panels for the baby mitts 10     -   (b) providing a first two-dimensional pattern (not shown) for         cutting of the flexible material 202     -   (c) cutting the flexible material 202 according to dimensions of         the first pattern     -   (d) providing resilient material 210 for use as pads 290 for the         baby mitts 10     -   (e) providing a second two-dimensional pattern (not shown) for         the pads 290     -   (f) cutting and forming the resilient material 210 into a shaped         pad 290 according to dimensions of the second pattern, the         shaped pad 290 has a palm portion 298 and a thumb portion 302     -   (g) providing elastic material 218 for use in cuffs 110 of the         baby mitts 10     -   (h) providing a third two-dimensional pattern (not shown) for         the elastic material 218     -   (i) cutting the elastic material 218 according to the third         pattern     -   (j) providing hook and loop fastener material 226     -   (k) providing a fourth two-dimensional pattern (not shown) for         the fastener material 226     -   (l) cutting the fastener material 226 according to dimensions of         the fourth pattern to form fastener patches 130, 134     -   (m) folding the flexible material 202 along a center line 234 to         form two layered upper 14 and lower panels 38     -   (n) providing stitching 238 around a perimeter 242 of the upper         14 and lower 38 panels, leaving an inner edge 246 of the panels         14, 38 unstitched     -   (o) turning the panels 14, 38 inside out     -   (p) placing the shaped pad 290 between the layers of the lower         panels 38 adjacent the center line 234 with the palm portion 298         adjacent a finger side edge 58 of the lower panel 38 and the         thumb portion 302 adjacent a thumb side edge 70 of the lower         panel 38     -   (q) providing stitching 306 to restrain movement of the palm         portion 298 of the shaped pad 290     -   (r) inserting the elastic material 218 between the layers of the         upper 14 and lower 38 panels adjacent the inner edge 246 of the         panels 14, 38     -   (s) providing stitching 258 to secure elastic material 218         within the cuffs 110 and to secure open edges 262 of the layers     -   (t) providing stitching 266 to attach an outer portion 62 of the         upper panel 14 to an outer portion 66 of the lower panel 38,         thereby forming a thumb support 270     -   (u) moving the thumb portion 302 into the thumb support 270     -   (v) providing stitching 274 to secure the hook 130 and loop 134         fastener patches to inner portions 278 of the upper 14 and lower         38 panels to provide fasteners 114 for the cuffs 110.

(20) In a final variant of the invention, the method of making scratch preventing baby mitts further includes the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing elastic material 218 for use in the upper panel 14         of the baby mitts 10     -   (b) providing a fifth two-dimensional pattern (not shown) for         the elastic material 218     -   (c) cutting the elastic material 218 according to the fifth         pattern to form an elastic patch 166     -   (d) stitching the elastic patch 166 to the flexible material 202         adjacent the center line 234 and adjacent a thumb side edge 70         prior to folding the flexible material 202 along the centerline         234, thereby securing the elastic patch 166 inside of the upper         panel 14.

The scratch preventing baby mitts 10 and 186 and method of making same have been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow. 

1. Scratch preventing baby mitts, comprising: an upper panel, said upper panel being formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a point between a base of a baby's metacarpal joints and a baby's first phalangeal joints and across a width of a back of said baby's hand; a lower panel, said lower panel being formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a baby's metacarpal joints and across a width of a palm of said baby's hand; said upper panel being joined to said lower panel at a finger side edge and joined at an outer portion of said upper panel and an outer portion of said lower panel at a thumb side edge; said upper and lower panels forming a sleeve, said sleeve having an inner end and an outer end and being sized and shaped to fit slidably over said baby's hand leaving ends of said baby's fingers and a thumb exposed. said lower panel having a first internal cavity, said first cavity sized and shaped to hold a first resilient pad; a first resilient pad, said first pad being disposed within said first internal cavity and being sized and shaped to extend beyond curled ends of fingers of said baby's hand; an elastic cuff, said cuff disposed adjacent said inner end of said sleeve and having at least one adjustable fastener for tightening said sleeve about said hand of said baby.
 2. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 1, further comprising: a second internal cavity, said second cavity disposed adjacent said first cavity within said flexible material joining said upper panel to said lower panel at said thumb side edge; a second resilient pad, said second pad being disposed within said second cavity and sized and shaped to separate the thumb from a first finger of said baby's hand.
 3. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 1, wherein said at least one adjustable fastener for tightening said sleeve about said hand of said baby are mating hook and loop fastener pads, each of said pads attached adjacent first and second ends of said elastic cuff on inner and outer surfaces of said cuff, respectively.
 4. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 2, wherein said elastic cuff is disposed within a third internal cavity, said third cavity disposed adjacent said inner end of said sleeve and said at least one adjustable fastener for tightening said sleeve about said hand of said baby are disposed upon inner and outer surfaces of said sleeve.
 5. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 1, wherein said upper panel further comprises an elastic member, said elastic member sized and shaped to extend across at least a portion of said width of said back of said baby's hand.
 6. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 1, wherein said flexible material is at least 90% bamboo fiber.
 7. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 2, wherein said resilient pads are formed of at least 90% bamboo fiber.
 8. Scratch preventing baby mitts, comprising: an upper panel, said upper panel being formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a point between a base of a baby's metacarpal joints and a baby's first phalangeal joints and across a width of a back of said baby's hand; a lower panel, said lower panel being formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a baby's metacarpal joints and across a width of a palm of said baby's hand; said upper panel being joined to said lower panel at a finger side edge and joined at an outer portion of said upper panel and an outer portion of said lower panel at a thumb side edge; said upper and lower panels forming a sleeve, said sleeve having an inner end and an outer end and being sized and shaped to fit slidably over said baby's hand leaving ends of said baby's fingers and a thumb exposed. an internal cavity, said internal cavity extending across said width of said palm of said baby's hand and continuing upwardly within said outer portion of said lower panel and said outer portion of said upper panel at said thumb side edge, said internal cavity being sized and shaped to hold a resilient pad; a resilient pad, said pad being disposed within said internal cavity and being sized and shaped to extend beyond curled ends of fingers of said baby's hand and to separate a first finger from a thumb of said baby's hand; an elastic cuff, said cuff disposed adjacent said inner end of said sleeve and having at least one adjustable fastener for tightening said sleeve about said hand of said baby.
 9. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 8, wherein said adjustable fasteners for tightening said sleeve about said hand of said baby are mating hook and loop fastener pads, each of said pads attached adjacent first and second ends of said elastic cuff on inner and outer surfaces of said cuff, respectively.
 10. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 8, wherein said elastic cuff is disposed within a second internal cavity, said second cavity disposed adjacent said inner end of said sleeve and said adjustable fasteners for tightening said sleeve about said hand of said baby are disposed upon inner and outer surfaces of said sleeve.
 11. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 8, wherein said upper panel further comprises an elastic member, said elastic member sized and shaped to extend across at least a portion of said width of said back of said baby's hand.
 12. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 8, wherein said flexible material is at least 90% bamboo fiber.
 13. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 8, wherein said resilient pad is formed of at least 90% bamboo fiber.
 14. Scratch preventing baby mitts, comprising: an upper panel, said upper panel being formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a point between a base of a baby's metacarpal joints and a baby's first phalangeal joints and across a width of a back of said baby's hand; a lower panel, said lower panel being formed of flexible material, sized and shaped to extend from a point on a baby's forearm to a baby's metacarpal joints and across a width of a palm of said baby's hand; said upper panel being joined to said lower panel at a finger side edge and removably joined at an outer portion of said upper panel to an outer portion of said lower panel at a thumb side edge; said upper and lower panels forming an openable sleeve, said openable sleeve having an inner end and an outer end and being sized and shaped to fit closely over said baby's hand leaving ends of said baby's fingers and a thumb exposed. an internal cavity, said internal cavity extending across said width of said palm of said baby's hand; a resilient pad, said pad being disposed within said internal cavity and being sized and shaped to extend beyond curled ends of fingers of said baby's hand; an elastic cuff, said cuff disposed adjacent said inner end of said sleeve and having at least one adjustable fastener for tightening said sleeve about said hand of said baby.
 15. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 15, wherein said outer portion of said upper panel is removably attached to said outer portion of said lower panel with hook and loop fasteners, said fasteners extending onto said upper panel as necessary to secure attachment of said outer portions of said upper and lower panels.
 16. The scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 15, wherein said upper panel further comprises an elastic member, said elastic member sized and shaped to extend across at least a portion of said width of said back of said baby's hand.
 17. A method of making scratch preventing baby mitts, comprising the steps of: providing flexible material for fabrication of upper and lower panels for said baby mitts; providing a first two-dimensional pattern for cutting of said flexible material; cutting said flexible material according to dimensions of said first pattern; providing resilient material for use as pads for said baby mitts; providing a second two-dimensional pattern for said pads; cutting and forming said resilient material into first and second shaped pads according to dimensions of said second pattern; providing elastic material for use in cuffs of said baby mitts; providing a third two-dimensional pattern for said elastic material; cutting said elastic material according to said third pattern; providing hook and loop fastener material; providing a fourth two-dimensional pattern for said fastener material; cutting said fastener material according to dimensions of said fourth pattern to form fastener patches; folding said flexible material along a center line to form two layered upper and lower panels; providing stitching around a perimeter of said upper and lower panels, leaving an inner edge of said panels unstitched; turning said panels inside out; placing said first shaped pad between said layers of said lower panel adjacent said center line and adjacent a finger side edge of said lower panel; placing said second shaped pad between said layers of said lower panel adjacent said center line and adjacent a thumb side of said lower panel; providing stitching to restrain movement of said first shaped pad; inserting said elastic material between said layers of said upper and lower panels adjacent said inner edge of said panels; providing stitching to secure elastic material within said cuffs and to secure open edges of said layers; providing stitching to attach an outer portion of said upper panel to an outer portion of said lower panel, thereby forming a thumb support; positioning said second shaped pad into said thumb support; providing stitching to secure said hook and loop fastener patches to inner portions of said upper and lower panels to provide fasteners for said cuffs.
 18. The method of making scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 17, further comprising the steps of providing elastic material for use in said upper panel of said baby mitts; providing a fifth two-dimensional pattern for said elastic material; cutting said elastic material according to said fifth pattern to form an elastic patch; stitching said elastic patch to said flexible material adjacent said center line and adjacent a thumb side edge prior to folding said flexible material along said centerline, thereby securing said elastic patch inside of said upper panel.
 19. A method of making scratch preventing baby mitts, comprising the steps of: providing flexible material for fabrication of upper and lower panels for said baby mitts; providing a first two-dimensional pattern for cutting of said flexible material; cutting said flexible material according to dimensions of said first pattern; providing resilient material for use as pads for said baby mitts; providing a second two-dimensional pattern for said pads; cutting and forming said resilient material into a shaped pad according to dimensions of said second pattern, said shaped pad having a palm portion and a thumb portion; providing elastic material for use in cuffs of said baby mitts; providing a third two-dimensional pattern for said elastic material; cutting said elastic material according to said third pattern; providing hook and loop fastener material; providing a fourth two-dimensional pattern for said fastener material; cutting said fastener material according to dimensions of said fourth pattern to form fastener patches; folding said flexible material along a center line to form two layered upper and lower panels; providing stitching around a perimeter of said upper and lower panels, leaving an inner edge of said panels unstitched; turning said panels inside out; placing said shaped pad between said layers of said lower panels adjacent said center line with said palm portion adjacent a finger side edge of said lower panel and said thumb portion adjacent a thumb side edge of said lower panel; providing stitching to restrain movement of said palm portion of said shaped pad; inserting said elastic material between said layers of said upper and lower panels adjacent said inner edge of said panels; providing stitching to secure elastic material within said cuffs and to secure open edges of said layers; providing stitching to attach an outer portion of said upper panel to an outer portion of said lower panel, thereby forming a thumb support; moving said thumb portion into said thumb support; providing stitching to secure said hook and loop fastener patches to inner portions of said upper and lower panels to provide fasteners for said cuffs.
 20. The method of making scratch preventing baby mitts, as described in claim 19, further comprising the steps of: providing elastic material for use in said upper panel of said baby mitts; providing a fifth two-dimensional pattern for said elastic material; cutting said elastic material according to said fifth pattern to form an elastic patch; stitching said elastic patch to said flexible material adjacent said center line and adjacent a thumb side edge prior to folding said flexible material along said centerline, thereby securing said elastic patch inside of said upper panel. 